The warrior’s greatest weapon is this
November 23, 2020 | 25 CommentsAudio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 14:23.
Dear Open Heart Project,
Hello. I hope you are well and feeling strong and safe. Please take good care of yourself!
Before this week’s practice, I share with you what I consider the warrior’s greatest weapon: speech. As with any powerful weapon, it can cause great harm or create tremendous protection. It is hard to handle. It takes training. It can be deployed incorrectly. It can be used to safeguard what is most precious. Please have a listen to learn more and, as always, I love to hear what you think!! Please share any questions or reflections. I will listen with pleasure.
Love, Susan
categorized in: open heart project
25 Comments
Hi Susan
Thanks for another inspiring session.
By the way at around 21.05 the session ‘ends’ with the gong and your rounding up, then continues. Just needs a quick re-edit.
Best wishes
Roz
thanks for letting me know!
Oh so good. Gap!! Thank you always!🌀
The gap is everything!! <3 S
Such a lovely speech!
Thank you Susan. I followed o p h in several years and today y include so much wisdom.❤️
So very glad it was useful. With love, S
Thankyou perfect for me during a busy frustraring paperwork morning preparing for my divorce court hearing
I needed to stop and take a break
My thoughts are clear much gratitude
Sending love and wishes for your ease! <3 S
Wow! I’m going to put this talk on auto-replay! You have clearly reminded me of my words and their role in how I feel and what I bring to this world.
You have reminded me of Byron Katie’s words: “is it true? Do I know it’s true? How do I know it’s true?”. I may not have the questions exactly correct, but I can feel the personal power of questioning myself and then moving and speaking with alignment.
Your common sense communications are powerful and much appreciated.
I am so happy we can practice it all together, Mary Lou. <3 S
While I have heard your wisdom on Right Speech before, it never seemed so relevant. This time the part that pricked up my ears was the aspect of speech for the purpose of making yourself feel better or get what you want. I am reminded of a small child who, when caught in a lie, stoutly maintains it, because what s/he wants is the reality of the lie, not the truth. Some people have a hard time growing out of this phase.
Now, in our polarized media-driven communications, we lose truth in echo chambers. As my grandpa used to say, watch out for media – all they want to do is sell you soap. So watching out for when we are tempted to “sell our soap” to someone else for our aggrandizement (actual or self affirming) is key.
Those folks who spew hate speech should be called out. They should also be seen as suffering, panicked by their thoughts. And they are all someone’s child/father/mother/brother/sister, they all want shelter, food, friends and their families’ well being. It is a hard wrench to turn and see this aspect of their humanity, especially when they point to those like me as the devil. An ongoing project, a challenging subject for tonglen.
I am with you on this Sue May, word for word. xo S
When I was little my grandmother said (almost) the same thing (about selling soap)!
I never forgot it. But it’s still tricky business, regardless!
Thanks for your comments here, and for reminding me what my heart knows is true.
Thank You Susan, for once again reminding me, of how Important my actions are, Speeking, Walking, Listening, Caring,etc. Early on I was taught that whatever I might say, should be nothing I wouldn’t want those Cloest to me to Hear ! I often wish / wounder what “People might think if they could Hear, as an ECHO, what they are saying to each other ! Being in a position that they Hear every word they are saying, or thinking …… My Wish to Enhance Lovingkindness, &, Compassion among Mankind !
Be Safe, and Peace Be With You ……
I know you are bringing more goodness to the world in every way you can, Kevin. With much appreciation, Susan
thanks again Susan, such a powerful reminder of what we have to be mindful of and of its consequences in everyday life. I do take your word, with is filled with loving kindness
So lovely to read these words from you and to share this important practice. <3 S
Thank you so much for this, Susan. I’ve been feeling quite defeated by the barrage of reports and studies you spoke of. They come at us from every angle! And it does little good, if any. So this is perfectly timed for my own broken heart. Thank you for these words. It helps.
Kindest regards,
Bonnie
So happy it was timely. With great respect for your broken heart, Love, Susan
I very much appreciate the clarity you gave to right speech. There is so much happening in our world that feeds division, it is good to hear how to speak with truth from a place of service in compassion and justice. thank you
So glad this resonated! <3 S
Such a busy week and I put my practice aside. A great way to re-establish my practice and remind myself why it is so important. I appreciate your ability to describe right speech so clearly.
I also love that this one place I can count on right speech being used in the comment section. So nice to read others comments as an additional way to learn.
SO glad this was timely. So happy we are practicing it all together. xo S
Thank you for the reminder that life is uncertain now and that’s ok. I have resistance to feeling powerless in the world, however the more i try to control and push, i am realizing / forced to stop and adapt (i dont like to use “acceptance”). Your wise words are helping me.
So glad this was helpful. And I share it all with you–the resistance, the efforts to control and then adapt…right there with you. Sending love. xo S